Reach-plate for vehicles



(No Model.)

. G. MAN

IRE PLATE FOR GLES; NO. 438,441. Patented Oct. 14, 1890-.

lllfllllllllll"(Will WITNESSES" IJV'VE T R. @106, M %M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TARGE G. MANDT, OF STQUGHTON, \VISOQNSIN.

REACH-PLATE FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 438,441, dated October 14, 1890.

Application filed March 26, 1890- Serial No. 345,306. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, TARGE G. MANDT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Stoughton, in the county of Dane and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reach-Plates for Vehicles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention consists in certain improvements in reach-plates for wagons and other similar vehicles.

The object of the invention is to provide a reach-plate which shall be simple and economical in construction and efficient and reliable in use, and in which the reach may be horizontally adjustable, so as to vary the length of the wagon, as may be desired.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of a reach-plate constructed according to my invention applied to the running-gear of awagon. Fig.2 is a central vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail View of one of the eccentric bearings.

In the said drawings, the reference-numeral 1 designates the plate, preferably made of cast-iron. It consists of a rectangular box 2, through which the reach passes, having a longitudinal slot 3 on its upper side and provided with projecting flanges 4, having apertures therein through which pass the bolts 6, by which it is secured to the hounds of the wagons. Upon each side of the slot 3, about midway of the length thereof, is an up wardlyprojecting lug 8. The inner faces of these lugs are provided with vertical slots 9, which form the bearings for the journals 10 of the eccentric 12, having an operating-handle 13. Fitting within the slot 3 is a spring bearingplate 14, consisting, preferably, of a rectangular steel plate having a slight curve or arch, as seen in Fig. 2, and having its ends bent upwardly and then outwardly, forming a flange 15, overlapping the end walls of the slot. At one end this plate is provided with a downwardly-proj cot-ing pin or stud 17 ,which engages with corresponding holes in the reach 18. These holes do not extend through the reach, but only part way, and thus the reach is not weakened to the extent it would be if they passed entirely through the same. Smaller holes 19, however, may extend from the bottom of holes to the underside of the reach, if desired, so as to drain the holes of any water that would otherwise accumulate therein.

The operation of the device will be readily understood. The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 2, and it is desired to vary the length of the wagon, the eccentric 12 is operated by means of the handle on lever 13 by throwing it over backward,which will relieve the pressure on the spring-plate 14, allowing it to be raised and the stud 17 released from engagement with the hole in the reach. The reach is then moved in the box 2 according as it is desired to shorten or lengthen the wagon until the proper hole therein comes into coincidence with the stud 14. The lever 13 is then thrown over into its former position, causing the eccentric 12 to force the bearing-plate tightly down upon the reach and the stud 14 to be securely held in the hole therein.

There will be no wabbling or rattling of the reach within the box 2, as, owing to the eccentric and spring bearing-plate, it will be held tightly therein, notwithstanding it may not fit snugly.

There are other advantages possessed by my invention,which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. As a new article, a reach-plate consisting of a rectangular box adapted to be secured to the hounds of a wagon, provided with a longitudinal slot, upwardly-projecting lugs upon each side of the slot having vertical slots therein, and an eccentric having an operating lever or handle journaled in said lugs, substantially as described.

2. The combination,with the box 2, having IOO side flanges 4, the longitudinal slot 3, the lugs 8, provided with vertical slots 9, and the eccentric 12, having handle 13, of the spring bearing-plate 14, having stud 17, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the box 2, having slot 3, side flanges 4, lugs 8, with slots 9, and the eccentric 12, having handle 13, the spring bearing plate 14, having stud 16,and the reach 18, having a series of holes, substantially as re described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

TARGE G. MANDT. Witnesses:

THOMAS H. ROBINSON, D. IIITcHcocK. 

